Episodes

  • A ‘Best of’ the AI Download Season 1

    A ‘Best of’ the AI Download Season 1
    Jan 8 2026

    Join host Shira Lazar as she revisits the standout moments and voices that defined a groundbreaking season on the intersection of AI, creativity, and humanity.



    In this special episode, host Shira Lazar wraps up Season One of The AI Download by revisiting the conversations that defined the show’s journey. Over 40 episodes, we explored how AI is reshaping work, creativity, and our very sense of humanity. Now, we bring you the standout moments from investors, market insiders, policymakers, educators, and cultural voices who helped us navigate this landscape.

    From Mark Cuban on using AI as leverage, to Sinead Bovell reframing AI as a structural shift in our reality, each guest offers a lens on what AI means right now. Whether it’s governance as a form of responsibility or how intimacy and identity are evolving with AI, this Best Of captures the themes that will matter as we head into Season Two and a new year.

    Why This Matters:
     This episode isn’t about predicting the future. It’s about learning to thoughtfully navigate the present and the shifts AI brings. Join us for a curated journey through the insights that defined our first season and the conversations that will help you approach the next one.

    GUEST LIST


    Mark Cuban – Discussing AI as leverage for creators and investors.
    Peter Tuchman – Exploring how AI impacts markets, money, and emotion on the NYSE floor while unpacking the hype, fear and reality around AI stocks.
    Sandy Carter – Talking about real-world AI adoption inside companies.
    Arati Prabhakar – Framing AI governance as a matter of responsibility and public interest.

    Sinead Bovell – Highlighting AI as a structural shift in work, culture, and reality.
    Rourke Heath – How to build an AI-powered content system you can actually keep up with.
    Kaamna Bhojwani – Discussing AI’s influence on intimacy, identity, and boundaries.
    Baratunde Thurston – Closing with insights on AI as a cultural story and human-centered technology.



    CONNECT WITH SHIRA     → Shira’s Newsletter on Beehiiv https://shiras-newsletter.beehiiv.com


    IG / TikTok / X: @ShiraLazar
    The AI Download on YouTube + All Platforms

    x.com/shiralazar
    instagram.com/shiralazar
    tiktok.com/@shiralazar
    linkedin.com/in/shiralazar
    youtube.com/shiralazar

    🎬Visit mussomedia.com for storytelling that connects.

    SPONSORS : 👉 HiveLighter – Your AI reading assistant for smart, personalized summaries. Explore our curated AI Download Collection: https://www.hivelighter.ai



    Credits    : This episode of The AI Download was hosted, created, and executive produced by Shira Lazar. Music by PALA, Catalina Coastline (licensed under Boss Soundstripe Productions by BMI). Produced by Musso Media. © 2025 Shira Lazar. All rights reserved.
    Show More Show Less
    47 mins
  • The AI Moments That Shaped 2025 and Predictions for 2026 with Nate Jones

    The AI Moments That Shaped 2025 and Predictions for 2026 with Nate Jones
    Dec 18 2025
    From model wars and Sora to copyright fights, AI music, and the rising cost of computing power, Shira Lazar and Nate Jones recap the 10 AI stories that defined 2025 and what’s coming next in 2026.AI moves so fast that even big stories get buried in the scroll. In this year end recap episode, Shira and returning guest Nate Jones count down the 10 AI stories that shaped 2025 with a look ahead to 2026.From GPT 5.2 to Google’s Gemini 3 moment, why Claude Opus 4.5 became a favorite for building, and what everyone’s DeepSeek narrative got right and wrong. Then the conversation turns to the messier parts of the year, including Sora and Hollywood’s response, the never ending lawsuits and licensing, AI in music versus a real talents staying power, and the growing debate around data centers and sustainability.Finally, they look ahead to 2026: what regulation might actually pass, where text to video and synthetic ads are heading, how offline communities could become a trust signal, and why staying informed will matter more than picking a “best model.”What we cover🔷 Why GPT-5.2 matters for frontier workflows, not everyday chatbot use🔷 Gemini 3 upgrades and how models are absorbing point-solution businesses🔷 Claude Opus 4.5 and what real “attention to detail” looks like in practice🔷 DeepSeek, open-source momentum, and why some models are powerful but brittle🔷 Sora, Hollywood pressure, and why licensing deals are becoming the norm🔷 The legal landscape, including the overlooked privacy risks in copyright cases🔷 AI music, what it changes, and what it cannot replace🔷 Nano Banana and how it became the benchmark for image generation🔷 Data centers, energy, and water, and why the comparisons are often wrong🔷 2026 predictions: regulation, ads, synthetic influencers, politics, education, and trustMore on Nate Jones… an AI strategist and analyst known for translating fast moving AI shifts into practical, grounded takeaways.Connect: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natebjones/ | https://www.natebjones.com/ | https://x.com/natebjones CONNECT WITH SHIRA → Shira’s Newsletter on Beehiiv https://shiras-newsletter.beehiiv.com IG / TikTok / X: @ShiraLazarThe AI Download on YouTube + All Platforms x.com/shiralazar instagram.com/shiralazar tiktok.com/@shiralazar linkedin.com/in/shiralazar youtube.com/shiralazar🎬Visit mussomedia.com for storytelling that connects.SPONSORS : 👉 HiveLighter – Your AI reading assistant for smart, personalized summaries. Explore our curated AI Download Collection: https://www.hivelighter.aiCHAPTERS00:00 – Intro 01:03 – Story #10: ChatGPT 5.2 & The "Frontier" Update 05:32 – Story #9: Google Gemini 3 (Agent Mode & Fashion) 07:15 – Story #8: Anthropic Claude Opus 4.5 (Coding Crown) 11:15 – Honorable Mention: Lovable No-Code Builder 12:32 – DeepSeek & The Open Source "Myth" 17:25 – Story #5: Sora, OpenAI & The Disney Deal 19:51 – The Legal Battles: NYT vs OpenAI & Privacy Rights 24:12 – Anthropic’s $1.5B Settlement 27:03 – AI in Music: Suno, Udio & The Charts 30:41 – Story #3: Hollywood & AI Actress "Tilly Norwood" 33:46 – Story #2: Nano Banana (The New King of Images) 36:10 – Story #1: Hyperscale Data Centers & Sustainability 41:42 – 2026 Prediction: Will Regulation Finally Happen? 44:28 – 2026 Prediction: Text-to-Video Ads & The Adult Industry 46:03 – 2026 Prediction: Synthetic Influencers vs. Real Connection 48:55 – 2026 Prediction: AI in Politics & Confirmation Bias 52:00 – Closing Thoughts: How to Prepare for 2026Credits: This episode of The AI Download was hosted, created, and executive produced by Shira Lazar. Music by PALA, Catalina Coastline (licensed under Boss Soundstripe Productions by BMI). Produced by Musso Media. © 2025 Shira Lazar. All rights reserved.
    Show More Show Less
    46 mins
  • Six AI Tools You Need For 2026 with Paige Piskin

    Six AI Tools You Need For 2026 with Paige Piskin
    Dec 11 2025
    AI tools changed fast in 2025. At the start of the year, many of us were still “playing” with ChatGPT and image generators. By the end of the year, entire workflows in design, music, video, coding and even sales are being run through AI.SPONSORS : 👉 HiveLighter – Your AI reading assistant for smart, personalized summaries. Explore our curated AI Download Collection: https://www.hivelighter.aiIn this episode of The AI Download, host Shira Lazar is joined by returning guest Paige Piskin – creator, AI artist and one of the earliest power users on almost every major tool. Paige has gone from using AI for sketches and inspiration to producing full commercial campaigns, album covers, music videos and interactive experiences for clients.Together, Shira and Paige break down six core categories of tools you need in your stack for 2026. From AI search and no code app builders to image, audio, video and repurposing engines, they map out what is actually useful right now, where each tool shines and how to think about agents and automation without losing the human connection.Why This MattersIf you work in the creator economy, media, design, marketing or you are just trying to keep up with AI at work, the tool landscape can feel overwhelming. Every week there is a new model, a new interface and a new “must try” app. Most people never get beyond dabbling.Paige lives in these tools every day. She has experimented with Sora, Suno, Kling, 11 Labs, Nano Banana, Lovable, Google’s Build Studio, NotebookLM and many more long before they hit the mainstream. Her perspective is less about hype and more about:Which tools are ready for real client workHow to combine them into a workflowWhere you still need taste, story and human judgmentThis episode is a practical shortcut if you want to level up your AI stack for 2026 without spending hundreds of hours testing everything yourself.HighLevel has teamed up with Shira Lazar to offer you an exclusive promotional trial. Also..Opus Clip This code'll give you 1 free week then 50% for 3 months. 🔗 All Tools Mentioned in This EpisodeCopilot | https://copilot.microsoft.com Perplexity | https://perplexity.aiLovable | https://lovable.ai VioDev | https://vio.dev Google Build | https://ai.google.dev11Labs | https://elevenlabs.io Suno | https://suno.comSora | https://openai.com/sora Kling | https://klingai.com Google Veo | https://deepmind.google/video/veo HeyGez | https://heygen.comNano Banana | https://labs.google/nanobanana Midjourney | https://midjourney.comOpus Clip | https://opus.pro Riverside | https://riverside.fmHighLevel | https://gohighlevel.com Snowflake | https://snowflake.com Coral Protocol | https://coralprotocol.org n8n | https://n8n.ioRosebud | https://rosebud.ai NotebookLM | https://notebooklm.googlePaige Piskin More…https://www.paigepiskin.com/ Paige Piskin (@paigepiskin) Official | TikTok https://www.youtube.com/@paigepiskinaiar https://www.linkedin.com/in/paigepiskin/ https://www.facebook.com/paigejpiskin/ CONNECT WITH SHIRA → Shira’s Newsletter on Beehiiv https://shiras-newsletter.beehiiv.com IG / TikTok / X: @ShiraLazarThe AI Download on YouTube + All Platforms x.com/shiralazar instagram.com/shiralazar tiktok.com/@shiralazar linkedin.com/in/shiralazar youtube.com/shiralazar________🎬Visit mussomedia.com for storytelling that connects.CreditsThis episode of The AI Download was hosted, created, and executive produced by Shira Lazar. Executive Producer Michele Musso, Creative Director Nadia Giosia with Mint Labs. Music by PALA, Catalina Coastline (licensed under Boss Soundstripe Productions by BMI). Produced by Musso Media. © 2025 Shira Lazar. All rights reserved.
    Show More Show Less
    35 mins
  • Activism, Fashion & AI Collide: A Gen Z Founder’s Playbook (ft. Sophia Kianni)

    Activism, Fashion & AI Collide: A Gen Z Founder’s Playbook (ft. Sophia Kianni)
    Dec 4 2025
    What it takes to build a company with values in the age of automation. In this episode of The AI Download, host Shira Lazar sits down with activist, founder and Gen Z thought leader Sophia Kianni, co-founder of Phia and co-host of The Burnouts podcast.They dig into how Gen Z is rewriting the rules of activism, sustainability, fashion and what it means to build a company in an era of AI overload.Sophia shares how her journey from climate activism and Stanford to co-founding Phia with Phoebe Gates shaped her perspective on AI, community and leadership. From secondhand fashion and circular economies to B-roll workflows and burnout, this episode is a masterclass in building something real in a hyper-automated world.In this conversation, we explore:How Gen Z really thinks about community, identity and leadershipThe tension between climate activism and AI, and how to turn it into solutionsHow Phia uses AI and data to fix broken shopping systems and reduce fashion wasteWhy distribution, partnerships and community can be a bigger moat than the tech itselfUsing AI as a creativity and productivity multiplier, not a replacement for soul and voiceBurnout, boundaries and how Sophia stays grounded while building a company in her 20sThis episode blends culture, entrepreneurship and the human side of artificial intelligence for anyone navigating the new creator economy without losing themselves.Why This MattersWe are entering an era where AI touches everything: how we learn, shop, organize, protest and create. At the same time, trust is low, burnout is high and entire industries, from media to fashion, are being rebuilt in real time. Sophia Kianni represents a generation that refuses to choose between activism, entrepreneurship and technology. She is building tools that reduce waste and make shopping smarter, while also being honest about mental health, burnout and the realities of being a young founder.This conversation matters if you are trying to figure out how to use AI without losing your values or your voice. It is a grounded, practical look at what it means to build a company in the AI era, leverage new tools responsibly and still stay human. Whether you are a creator, founder, student or just AI curious, Sophia offers a roadmap for combining climate, culture and code in a way that feels aligned and sustainable.About the Guest - Sophia Kianni is a Gen Z climate activist, entrepreneur and co-founder of Phia, a fashion technology company that uses AI and data to help people shop more intelligently, buy secondhand and reduce waste across the fashion ecosystem. Phia has grown rapidly, reaching hundreds of thousands of users and raising millions in venture funding, with Sophia leading strategy, product direction and community.Before Phia, Sophia founded Climate Cardinals, a nonprofit that translates climate information into dozens of languages to make climate literacy accessible across the world. She has advised global organizations on youth engagement and sustainability initiatives and is widely recognized as one of Gen Z’s leading voices at the intersection of policy, technology and climate action.She is also the co-host of The Burnouts podcast, created with her co-founder Phoebe Gates, where they speak candidly with entrepreneurs, creators and leaders about ambition, burnout and building meaningful careers in your twenties.Official Website: sophiakianni.com Podcast: https://www.theburnouts.com/ Fashion Company: https://phia.com/ Non Profit: https://www.climatecardinals.org/ Instagram @sophiakianni https://www.instagram.com/sophiakianni/ X (formerly Twitter) @SophiaKianniLinkedIn - Sophia Kianni https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophia-kianni-a805a71b3/ CONNECT WITH SHIRA → Shira’s Newsletter on Beehiiv https://shiras-newsletter.beehiiv.com IG / TikTok / X: @ShiraLazar. The AI Download on YouTube + All Platforms🎬Visit mussomedia.com for storytelling that connects.SPONSORS : 👉 HiveLighter – Your AI reading assistant for smart, personalized summaries. Explore our curated AI Download Collection: https://www.hivelighter.aiCreditsThis episode of The AI Download was hosted, created, and executive produced by Shira Lazar. Executive Producer Michele Musso, Creative Director Nadia Giosia with Mint Labs. Music by PALA, Catalina Coastline (licensed under Boss Soundstripe Productions by BMI). Produced by Musso Media. © 2025 Shira Lazar. All rights reserved. (00:00) - The FIA Origin — “Should I Buy This?” (00:42) - Welcome + Introducing Sophia (02:07) - Blending Activism, Fashion, Tech & AI (03:38) - How AI Amplifies Climate & Sustainability Work (06:37) - Gen Z, School, and the AI-Shaped Internet (09:20) - Going Offline, Real Connection & Culture (11:00) - Building FIA: From Roommates to Startup (13:20) - How FIA Works + Mobile Shift + $8M Raised (16:14) - AI + Data Partnerships Powering the Experience (18:19) - Distribution, Community & Founders as Creators (21:53) - How AI Will ...
    Show More Show Less
    46 mins
  • The End of the Influencer Era & The Rise of Post-Reality

    The End of the Influencer Era & The Rise of Post-Reality
    Nov 26 2025
    Sinead Bovell on AI, Work, and What’s Coming NextIn this episode of The AI Download, host Shira Lazar sits down with futurist and acclaimed technology educator Sinead Bovell for one of the clearest, most grounded conversations about our AI future — not the hype, not the fear, but what it actually means to be human in this next era.Sinead is the founder of WAYE and the host of the podcast I’ve Got Questions with Sinead, where she breaks down emerging technologies for real people. Known for making complex ideas accessible, she’s spoken at the United Nations, advised global leaders, and been featured in CNN, NBC, and Vogue — but this conversation goes far deeper than her resume.Together, Shira and Sinead unpack how AI is reshaping the workplace, the creator economy, and even our sense of reality — from synthetic media and digital actors to shifting labor dynamics and the rise of the “Independence Era.” They explore why AI isn’t replacing workers, but workflows, and what skills will actually matter in the next decade. And they take on the messy parts too: data ethics, creator exploitation, burnout, boundaries, and why Gen Z is opting out of hyper-online culture.This episode moves past the headlines and into the human side of living — and working — in an AI-saturated world.Why This MattersThe future of work won’t be defined by job titles — it will be defined by skills, judgment, and the ability to collaborate with intelligent systems. Sinead makes a powerful case that AI literacy goes far beyond good prompting; it’s about:understanding what AI can’t dointerpreting and selling AI insights across teamsrethinking your value proposition in an automated worldprotecting your mental health in a tech-saturated cultureknowing how to navigate a reality where humans and algorithms increasingly shape each otherIn a moment of massive transition, these skills aren’t “nice to have.” They’re becoming a competitive advantage.What We CoverHow Sinead became a futurist and found her voice in techAI’s early misunderstandings — and what people still get wrongDigital actors, synthetic media, and Hollywood’s identity crisisCopyright, creator rights, and who gets left behindAI and jobs: automation vs. workflow evolutionThe Independence Era and the future of laborWhat governments get wrong about AI policyWhy we’re entering a “post-reality” eraBurnout, boundaries, and staying grounded in a tech-heavy worldThe skills you actually need to thrive with AIWhy “selling AI to your team” is a leadership skillSinead’s most surprising — and controversial — AI takeAbout the Guest – Sinead BovellSinead Bovell is a futurist, AI educator, host of The podcast I’ve Got Questions and founder of WAYE, an organization focused on preparing young professionals and businesses for a tech-driven future. Known for making emerging technologies accessible to diverse audiences, she has spoken at the United Nations, advised global leaders, and been featured in outlets like CNN, NBC, and Vogue. Sinead’s work centers on the intersection of AI, work, ethics, and the skills needed for the next era of human–machine collaboration.Website: https://www.sineadbovell.com/Substack: https://sineadbovell.substack.com Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@Sineadbovell WAYE: https://www.wayefuture.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sineadbovell/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sineadbovell/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@sineadbovell X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/SineadBovell CONNECT WITH SHIRA → Shira’s Newsletter on Beehiiv https://shiras-newsletter.beehiiv.com IG / TikTok / X: @ShiraLazarThe AI Download on YouTube + All Platforms x.com/shiralazar instagram.com/shiralazar tiktok.com/@shiralazar linkedin.com/in/shiralazar youtube.com/shiralazar🎬Visit mussomedia.com for storytelling that connects.SPONSORS : 👉 HiveLighter – Your AI reading assistant for smart, personalized summaries. Explore our curated AI Download Collection: https://www.hivelighter.aiCreditsThis episode of The AI Download was hosted, created, and executive produced by Shira Lazar. Executive Producer Michele Musso, Creative Director Nadia Giosia with Mint Labs. Music by PALA, Catalina Coastline (licensed under Boss Soundstripe Productions by BMI). Produced by Musso Media. © 2025 Shira Lazar. All rights reserved. (00:00) - – Preview – AI-Generated Realities (00:16) - – Intro + Sponsor Shoutout (01:04) - – Guest Introduction (01:10) - – How Sinead Became a Futurist (04:33) - – Early Viral Moments + First AI Debates (07:36) - – The Future of Hollywood & Digital Actors (11:18) - – Data Theft, Copyright & Creator Rights (14:57) - – AI and Jobs – Layoffs vs Workflow Changes (18:18) - – The Independence Era of Work (22:54) - – Regulation, Policy & the Future of Labor (26:13) - – The End of the Influencer Era (29:04) - – Entering the Post-Reality Era (30:55) - – Mental Health, ...
    Show More Show Less
    36 mins
  • NVIDIA, AI Mania and What’s Next: Einstein of Wall Street Explains Everything

    NVIDIA, AI Mania and What’s Next: Einstein of Wall Street Explains Everything
    Nov 20 2025
    Viral NYSE trader Peter Tuckman joins Shira to break down Nvidia’s wild valuation, the AI trade, meme stock madness and why he believes we are only in the early innings of an AI revolution, not at the top of a bubble.Is Nvidia in a real AI supercycle or are we watching the setup for the next big bubble.On this episode of The AI Download, Shira Lazar sits down with Peter Tuckman, also known as the Einstein of Wall Street, to unpack the hype, fear and reality around AI stocks. From the floor of the New York Stock Exchange to viral fame through streamer iShowSpeed, Peter has seen every kind of mania before. Now he applies that experience to Nvidia, Palantir and the so-called AI trade that is driving a massive share of market gains and even US GDP growth.Peter explains why record valuations and violent pullbacks do not automatically mean a crash is coming, what actually drives price action around earnings and why a stock can post blowout numbers and still drop nine percent in a day. He also shares how social media, retail investors and option traders are changing market behavior in ways that make this cycle very different from the dot com era.Why this mattersAI is no longer a niche topic. Nearly every major tech and cloud company is pouring hundreds of billions into chips and data centers. AI stocks are driving a large share of recent market gains and headlines. That creates real opportunity and real risk, especially for newer retail investors who are trying to make sense of daily volatility, doom headlines and hype.Peter has traded through the crash of 1987, the dot com boom and bust, the financial crisis, meme stock frenzies and now the AI wave. His lens is part history lesson, part reality check and part pep talk for anyone who wants to participate in the market without getting lost in fear or FOMO.What we coverHow Peter Tuckman became the Einstein of Wall Street and why he recently went viral with iShowSpeedWhy Nvidia, Palantir and the so called Mag 7 dominate the AI trade right nowHow a company can post great earnings and still see the stock drop sharply the next dayWhat Michael Burry closing his fund does and does not actually signal about AI stocksThe real difference between algorithms, bots and AI on the trading floorWhy Peter believes AI is in the second inning of a long game rather than at the end of a bubbleHow data centers, GPUs, energy, water and rare earth minerals fit into the AI ecosystemLessons from past manias, including meme stocks like GameStop and AMCPractical mindset shifts for retail investors who want exposure to AI without trying to day trade every moveWhy broad market exposure and consistent investing can beat trying to time every headlineTimestamps / Chapters00:00 – Markets Go Up Over Time 00:28 – Welcome + Introducing Peter “Einstein of Wall Street” Tuchman01:54 – Going Viral with iShowSpeed and Teaching Financial Literacy03:44 – Stocks vs. Stuff – The Mindset Shift for Building Wealth05:11 – The Einstein Nickname and 40 Years on Wall Street07:04 – Embracing Social Media and Democratizing Investing08:47 – From Open Outcry to Algorithms – How Trading Has Changed11:00 – AI, Tech, and Why Humans Still Matter on the Floor14:46 – Is Nvidia a Bubble? Market Psychology and Media Fear18:07 – Why Good Earnings Sometimes Make Stocks Fall24:48 – AI, Data Centers, and Trillions in Future CapEx29:03 – The Circular AI Ecosystem – Collaboration or Risk?31:15 – Why This Isn’t a Bubble – We’re Still in the Second Inning35:28 – Practical Advice for Retail Investors + Long-Term Thinking40:46 – Lightning Round & Closing ReflectionsAbout our guestPeter Tuckman is one of the most photographed traders on the New York Stock Exchange and is widely known as the Einstein of Wall Street. He has traded through multiple market cycles, from the crash of 1987 to the dot com era, the financial crisis, meme stock frenzies and today’s AI wave. Peter also teaches trading and market literacy to students and retail investors around the world and is passionate about helping the next generation invest in their future rather than only in stuff.Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-tuchman-18816329/ Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/einsteinofwallst/ X : https://x.com/EinsteinoWallSt Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/einsteinofwallstreet/CONNECT WITH SHIRA → Shira’s Newsletter on Beehiiv https://shiras-newsletter.beehiiv.com IG / TikTok / X: @ShiraLazarThe AI Download on YouTube + All Platforms x.com/shiralazar instagram.com/shiralazar tiktok.com/@shiralazar linkedin.com/in/shiralazar youtube.com/shiralazar🎬Visit mussomedia.com for storytelling that connects.SPONSORS : 👉 HiveLighter – Your AI reading assistant for smart, personalized summaries. Explore our curated AI Download Collection: https://www.hivelighter.aiCreditsThis episode of The AI Download was hosted, created, and executive produced by Shira Lazar. Executive Producer Michele ...
    Show More Show Less
    45 mins
  • Don’t Age Out of Tech: AI, Climate, and Sustainable Capitalism with Nimay Ndolo

    Don’t Age Out of Tech: AI, Climate, and Sustainable Capitalism with Nimay Ndolo
    Nov 6 2025
    If AI is the new “internet in 1995,” are we ready for what’s coming next?This conversation began in the middle of the noise and bright lights of NAB New York, but it didn’t feel loud. It felt human. Shira and Nimay sat down together, not to debate AI or perform expertise, but to talk about what happens to us when technology moves faster than our sense of self. Nimay brings the lens of a creator who has lived inside both the tech world and the cultural world, and she is someone who understands how identity shifts when the tools around us change.Nimay shares her journey from front-end developer to cultural voice and changemaker, and why she believes the rise of AI mirrors the same generational divide many of us watched unfold during the early internet era.This conversation moves past hype and fear-mongering to ask deeper, human-level questions:What skills do we risk aging out of if we don’t adapt?How do we protect our creative integrity while using AI as a tool?What happens when tech companies scale faster than regulation?And how do we build AI systems that don’t destroy the planet in the process?Nimay offers thoughtful, grounded insight on:Sustainable capitalismHow growth can exist without extraction, centering systems that support communities instead of draining them.Environmental impact of AIAI is not weightless. It consumes water and energy. She brings attention to the physical cost of digital progress, and why that matters now.Balancing automation and creativityUsing AI as a tool to remove the repetitive parts of work while keeping the soul, perspective, and artistic voice human.Mental health in the creator economyNaming the pressure to stay visible, relevant, always producing. Exploring how AI can soften the workload without erasing identity.What meaningful AI regulation could look likePolicy that is informed by culture, transparency, and accountability. A future shaped with intention instead of reaction.Whether you're a creator, founder, or simply trying to make sense of the current shift, this is a conversation worth sitting with.WHAT WE COVER00:00 — Being Against AI Feels Like Being Against the Internet in 199500:16 — Live from NAB New York – Welcome and Setup00:49 — Meet Nimay Ndolo – Creator, Activist, Technologist02:00 — Why AI Feels Like the Next Internet Revolution03:17 — Fears of Aging Out and Learning to Adapt04:05 — Balancing Optimism, Regulation, and Trust in Tech06:38 — Generational Gaps and Resistance to AI08:02 — The Need for Younger Leadership and Policy Reform09:42 — Sustainable Capitalism, DAOs, and the Future of Work12:44 — City Aesthetica – Linking AI, Architecture, and Environment14:44 — Adapting to AI While Protecting the Planet15:02 — Inclusion, Representation, and Equity in the AI Era16:13 — Can AI Help or Hurt Mental Health?18:19 — How Creators Use AI Without Losing Their Voice21:32 — Final Reflections and Closing ThanksWHY THIS MATTERSWe are living through a technological shift that will define how culture moves, how art is made, how we work, and how we see ourselves.The goal isn’t to resist the shift…it’s to shape it consciously.CONNECT WITH NIMAYCity Aesthetica (Nonprofit): IG @cityaestheticaIG / TikTok / X: @NimayNdolohttps://www.feminists.co/discover/nimayndolo WikiCONNECT WITH SHIRA → Shira’s Newsletter on Beehiiv https://shiras-newsletter.beehiiv.com IG / TikTok / X: @ShiraLazarThe AI Download on YouTube + All Platforms x.com/shiralazar instagram.com/shiralazar tiktok.com/@shiralazar linkedin.com/in/shiralazar youtube.com/shiralazar🎬Visit mussomedia.com for storytelling that connects.SPONSORS : 👉 HiveLighter – Your AI reading assistant for smart, personalized summaries. Explore our curated AI Download Collection: https://www.hivelighter.aiCreditsThis episode of The AI Download was hosted, created, and executive produced by Shira Lazar. Executive Producer Michele Musso, Creative Director Nadia Giosia with Mint Labs. Music by PALA, Catalina Coastline (licensed under Boss Soundstripe Productions by BMI). Produced by Musso Media. © 2025 Shira Lazar. All rights reserved.
    Show More Show Less
    24 mins
  • The Future of Creativity is Here: Why AI Will Not Replace Artists, It Will Expand Them

    The Future of Creativity is Here: Why AI Will Not Replace Artists, It Will Expand Them
    Oct 30 2025
    From audiobook narration to poetry at MoMA, this episode goes inside the real creative shift happening right now. Recorded live at the Aspen Ideas Economy Conference.Welcome back to The AI Download with host Shira Lazar. This episode was recorded live at the Aspen Institute’s Aspen Ideas Economy in Newark, where Shira sat down for a powerful conversation about the new frontier of creativity in the age of AI.Joining Shira on stage are two trailblazers approaching AI from very different angles: Bob Carrigan, CEO of Audible and Sasha Stiles, AI poet and multimedia artist featured at MoMA. Together, they explore how AI is reshaping art, authorship, storytelling, and the creator economy. This is not a conversation about fear or replacement. It is about evolution, opportunity, access, and how artists and companies can use these tools in ways that expand imagination rather than limit it.If you care about where creativity is going next, this is one of those discussions you will feel long after it ends.WHY THIS MATTERSAI is changing the way we create, consume, distribute, and value creative work.Yet most of the public narrative focuses on anxiety rather than possibility.This conversation reframes the moment we are in.Not as an ending, but a new chapter.WHAT WE COVER• Why companies that replace humans with AI are missing the real opportunity• How Audible is using AI to expand access to audiobooks worldwide• Why artists like Sasha Stiles are embracing AI as a poetic collaborator• How voice models can empower narrators rather than replace them • The tension between originality, sampling, and training data • What it means to create in a world shaped by both human and non human intelligence • Why we are at a Gutenberg level shift in how ideas travelKEY TAKEAWAYAI does not erase creativity.AI expands the canvas.The real question is not whether technology will change art…It already has.The question is…How will we choose to make art now.GUESTS: Bob Carrigan, CEO of Audible | LINKEDIN | X Sasha Stiles - AI poet and multimedia artist featured at MoMA | A Living Poem | X Subscribe to What’s Trending for smart, accessible coverage of AI, digital culture, and the future of creativity. → Shira’s Newsletter on Beehiiv https://shiras-newsletter.beehiiv.com Follow Shira: x.com/shiralazar instagram.com/shiralazar tiktok.com/@shiralazar linkedin.com/in/shiralazar youtube.com/shiralazar🎬Visit mussomedia.com for storytelling that connects.SPONSORS : 👉 HiveLighter – Your AI reading assistant for smart, personalized summaries. Explore our curated AI Download Collection: https://www.hivelighter.aiCreditsThis episode of The AI Download was hosted, created, and executive produced by Shira Lazar. Executive Producer Michele Musso, Creative Director Nadia Giosia with Mint Labs. Music by PALA, Catalina Coastline (licensed under Boss Soundstripe Productions by BMI). Produced by Musso Media. © 2025 Shira Lazar. All rights reserved.
    Show More Show Less
    39 mins